Elise Downing on the Ridgeway: Britain's Oldest Road, in Three Days

<p>Elise Downing ran 87 miles of the Ridgeway in three days in 2020, between lockdowns, with her friend Sophie. Their two friends, Ange and Oscar, walked the same daily distances - the same format the four had tried on the West Highland Way two years earlier, when Ange and Oscar bailed after day two.</p><p>We talk about why running suits the less-scenic sections, the feeling of walking an ancient road, a chance meeting on a footpath, finishing at an empty Avebury Stone Circle, and whether the running-and-walking format worked any better the second time round.</p><p><strong>About Elise Downing</strong></p><p>Elise is part of our team at Big Trail Adventures, where she runs our social media. She&#39;s also one of Britain&#39;s best-known long-distance runners. A few years before this trip she ran 5,000 miles around the coast of Britain on her own with her kit on her back. She&#39;s written about it in a book and a newsletter.</p><p><strong>What we talk about</strong></p><ul><li>The Ridgeway as a &quot;gateway&quot; first trail</li><li>Walking and running on Britain&#39;s oldest road</li><li>29 and 33 mile days, and how miles reframe themselves</li><li>The running-and-walking format, tried for the second time</li><li>The day-two overtake and the frosty reception</li><li>The empty Avebury Stone Circle at the end</li><li>A chance meeting on the trail</li></ul><p>If listening to this has got you thinking about your own adventure, head to <a href="https://bigtrailadventures.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">bigtrailadventures.com</a>.</p><p><br></p>